This page provides links to entries extracted
from books and other documents containing material related to the origins and histories of
the Nisbet families in Scotland.Some entries are marked as being available
through the UK branch of the Nesbitt/Nisbet Society (obviously our source of choice) and
the complete list of available publications can be viewed at the Society's UK web site.
Older books that are out of print may be available through Bilbliofind, an online
database of titles currently offered for sale by antiquarian and second-hand book dealers
throughout the world. The holdings of these booksellers are updated on an ongoing basis,
and if a title can't be located on the first attempt searching again at a later date may
prove successful. If you can't find the book you're looking for you can create a
Bibliofind want list and will be notifed by email should the book become available.
Other books still in print may be available through Amazon UK, an online commercial
book-selling venture.
The majority of entries below pertain to the Borders area of Scotland, whence the
family of Nisbet of that Ilk originated, and the nearby capital region of Edinburgh which,
because of its regional and national importance, accommodated Nisbets from all
walks of life. |
| A System of Heraldry
by Alexander Nisbet |
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- Alexander Nisbet's magnum opus addressing Scottish heraldry, arms and
achievements. Nisbet "the Herald" was the great-grandson of Sir Philip Nisbet of
that Ilk and the last representative of the direct male line of descent. "A System
of Heraldry is one of the most useful research sources for finding the armory of a
Scots family. It is also the best readily available source discussing charges used in
Scots heraldry."
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| Alexander Nisbet's Heraldic Plates by Andrew
Ross and Francis J. Grant |
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- The authors of this beautiful book sing the praises of Alexander Nisbet, "The
Herald", and his landmark work regarding Scottish heraldry. The volume was published
in 1892 following the discovery of the plates originally intended for Nisbet's System
of Heraldry and contains reproductions of the plates accompanied by genealogies and
historical notes pertaining to the respective families. The extended introduction to the
book, presented here, addresses the origins of the Nisbet family, the struggles of Sir
Alexander Nisbet concerning the Civil War and the loss of his family heritage, the work of
Alexander Nisbet the Herald and his place in the heraldic literature of the country
(includes a comprehensive bibliography), and memoranda pertaining to other branches of the
Nisbet family in Scotland.
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| The Edinburgh Directory For 1773-74 |
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- Five Nisbet entries from the Edinburgh Directory for 1773-74. This facsimile reprint,
published in 1889 by William Brown, publisher, reproduces what appears to have been the
first published directory for the City of Edinburgh, Canongate, Leith and Suburbs.
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| Nisbet of that Ilk
by Robert Chancellor Nesbitt |
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- The most thorough investigation of the lineage of Nisbet of that Ilk on both sides of
the Tweed, and other Nesbitt/Nisbet families including branches in Scotland, Ireland, the
Continent, and North America. A facsimile reprint with additional material provided by
Robert Anthony Ellis Nesbitt, the current Chief of the Name and Arms of Nesbitt (or
Nisbet).
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- The first edition published in 1941 by John Murray, London. Although difficult to
locate, Bibliofind has recently listed two copies within a 6 month period.
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| Post Office Annual
Directory - Edinburgh, Leith, and Newhaven |
|
- Nesbitts and Nisbets listed in the 1830-31 letter-carriers'
directory, listing "the Nobility, Gentry, Merchants, and Others, in Edinburgh,
Leith, and Newhaven."
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| Register of
Interments in the Greyfriars Burying-Ground ed. Henry Paton |
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- A list of all Nisbet interments made in Greyfriars burying-ground, Edinburgh, between
the years 1658 and 1700. "Between 1100 and 1200 interments took place in the
burying-ground on an average yearly." As to the state of the Register
itself, the editor notes that it was "... for the most part written in a wretched
hand and is most illiterate, but as it was kept by the gravediggers themselves nothing
else could well be expected."
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| Scottish
Family History by Margaret Stuart |
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- "A Guide to Works of Reference on the History and Genealogy of Scottish
Families." Contains entries identifying published sources of information
regarding Nesbitt/Nisbet families of Scotland, Ireland, Sweden, US, and Antigua.
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| The Scottish Nation
by William Anderson |
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- A three-volume work published 1859-63 concerning "the Surnames, Families,
Literature, Honours and Biographical History of the People of Scotland".
Contains entries pertaining to several Nisbet families, particularly Nisbet of that Ilk,
the Nisbets of Dirleton, and the Nisbets of Hardhill.
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| Sculptured Stones of
Old Edinburgh: The Dean Group by John Geddie |
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- A discussion of the heraldic and armorial stones removed from Dean House when it was
demolished to accomodate the creation of Dean Cemetery, the stones being incorporated in
the cemetery grounds. The author discusses the history and genealogy of the Nisbet
families of Dean, Craigentinny and Dirleton, and their participation in the history
of Edinburgh. This article appeared in the initial volume of The Book of the Old
Edinburgh Club, published in 1908. "Each volume contains a series of articles on
by-gone Edinburgh life and history." Note: article size is
108k.
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| South Leith Records
by D. Robertson |
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- Extracts from the Parish Registers of South Leith Parish Church for the years 1588 to
1700, providing fascinating glimpses into the lives of the parishioners. As well as
depictions of day-to-day parish life, contains entries concerning suspected witchcraft,
times of famine and plague, the struggle of the Covenanters, and the occupation of Leith
by the forces of Cromwell, who requisitioned the Church for use as a stable. Contains a
few entries pertaining to prominent Nisbets who belonged to the Church.
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